Long-term outcomes and life satisfaction of adults who had pediatric spinal cord injuries.

OBJECTIVE

To determine long-term outcomes and life satisfaction of adults who sustained pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI).

DESIGN

Structured interview of adults who were 25 years or older who had pediatric SCI.

SETTING

Community.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 46 patients from a total of 81 patients who received care in an SCI program: 1 refused participation, 4 died, and 30 were lost to follow-up.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A structured questionnaire including physical, psychosocial, and medical information. The Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique and two measures of life satisfaction were also administered.

RESULTS

Participants were 25 to 34 years old, mean 27 years. Thirty-two had tetraplegia and 14 had paraplegia. Thirty-one were men. Mean years of education was 14. Fifty-four percent were employed, 48% lived independently, and 15% were married. Life satisfaction was associated with education, income, satisfaction with employment, and social/recreation opportunities, and was inversely associated with some medical complications. Life satisfaction was not significantly associated with level of injury, age at injury, or duration of injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals who had pediatric SCI, much like adult-onset SCI, have the greatest opportunity for a satisfying adult life if rehabilitation emphasizes psychosocial factors such as education, employment, and long-term health management.